Offshore · CGA-regulated · LOK framework
Curaçao Gaming Licence
The established, widely-banked offshore gaming licence — now issued directly by the Curaçao Gaming Authority under the new LOK framework. You trade a higher fee and real local substance for the broadest PSP and banking acceptance of any offshore regime. Live in 3–6 months; Vantegris runs the whole file.
overview
What is the Curaçao gaming licence?
Curaçao has licensed online gaming since 1996, and for most of that time it ran on a master-and-sub-licence model. That is over. Under the National Ordinance on Games of Chance (the LOK), the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) now issues licences directly — a separate B2C licence for operators and a B2B licence for suppliers whose services materially affect game outcomes or compliance.
The new regime is heavier than the old one: applicants must establish real local substance — a Curaçao-registered company, a local registered office, at least one Curaçao-resident managing director (or local corporate management), a local key person and a dedicated compliance/MLRO function. In exchange you get what an offshore permit can't offer — the deepest PSP, acquiring and banking acceptance in the offshore market. That trade-off is the whole reason established operators choose Curaçao over cheaper alternatives.
advantages
Why operators pick Curaçao
Curaçao is recognised by more PSPs, e-wallets and acquiring banks than any offshore permit — the difference between reliable fiat card processing and constant declines.
A regime operators, partners and players have known for nearly three decades, now modernised under the LOK to align with international standards.
Casino, live dealer, sportsbook, poker, eSports and crypto gaming under a single B2C authorisation.
Crypto gaming and crypto payments are workable under the B2C licence with the right compliance in place.
The local company and substance you build for Curaçao become the foundation for banking, tax structuring and further licences.
head to head
Curaçao vs. Anjouan
| Criteria | Curaçao | Anjouan |
|---|---|---|
| Annual cost | €47,450 | €17,828 |
| Timeline | 3–6 months | 4–8 weeks |
| Local company | Required | Not required |
| Resident director | Required (or local mgmt) | Not required |
| Compliance officer | Required | Recommended |
| PSP / banking acceptance | Broadest offshore | Growing |
| Crypto payments | Workable | Expressly allowed |
| Best suited to | Established B2C · fiat processing | Startups · crypto · speed |
who it's for
Who the Curaçao gaming licence suits
requirements
Curaçao gaming licence requirements
step by step
How to get a Curaçao gaming licence
- Company & substance Incorporate the Curaçao company, set up the registered office, local management and compliance function. 2–4 weeks
- Compliance build Prepare AML/KYC, responsible-gaming and data-protection policies plus the business plan to CGA format. 2–3 weeks
- Technical & RNG Assemble technical documentation and RNG certification (issued or in-process). 1–2 weeks
- CGA application & review Submit the complete package; the CGA runs direct due diligence and technical review, typically 6–10 weeks. 6–10 weeks
Not sure Curaçao is the right fit?
Tell us your product and target markets — we'll confirm whether Curaçao or another jurisdiction gets you live fastest, at the lowest all-in cost.
pricing
How much does a Curaçao gaming licence cost?
- Curaçao company incorporation
- Full CGA application package
- AML/KYC & responsible-gaming policies
- Regulator liaison through review
- Everything in Licence
- Local substance (office, management, key person)
- Compliance / MLRO setup
- RNG & technical documentation support
- Everything in Turnkey
- Banking & PSP introductions
- Corporate accounts setup
- Tax-structuring around the licence
Year-one all-in is materially higher than the headline fee once the local company, substance, compliance function and banking are in place — we quote precisely for your case rather than publish a misleading round number.
obligations
Compliance obligations in Curaçao
technical standards
Technical & IT standards in Curaçao
after launch
After you go live in Curaçao
market access
Which markets a Curaçao licence reaches
Curaçao gives broad international reach — Asia, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe — but it is not market access to regulated countries. Targeting Dutch residents is expressly prohibited (mandatory geo-blocking of .nl traffic), and operators must block the USA, UK, France and other regulated or sanctioned territories.
Operators must use GEO-IP blocking for restricted countries and any FATF-blacklisted nation. Non-compliance can lead to licence suspension or revocation.
Curaçao gaming licence FAQ
How much does a Curaçao gaming licence cost in 2026?
Under the LOK framework the annual licence fee is €47,450, plus an application fee of roughly €4,592, both payable to the Curaçao Gaming Authority. Year-one all-in is higher once the local company, substance, compliance function and banking are built — we quote precisely per case. (Older figures around $17,500 refer to the pre-reform model and are out of date.)
What changed with the Curaçao reform?
The historic master-and-sub-licence model was replaced. Under the LOK, the Curaçao Gaming Authority now issues licences directly — a B2C licence for operators and a B2B licence for suppliers — with real local-substance requirements and stricter due diligence.
How long does a Curaçao licence take?
Plan for 3–6 months with a clean file: a few weeks to build the company, substance and compliance documentation, then a CGA review of roughly 6–10 weeks. A well-prepared application moves faster than a thin one.
How does Curaçao compare to Anjouan?
Curaçao costs more (€47,450 vs €17,828), takes longer (3–6 months vs 4–8 weeks) and now requires local substance, but carries far broader PSP and banking acceptance. Anjouan is faster, cheaper and needs no local presence. Established operators who need reliable fiat processing choose Curaçao; startups and crypto-first operators often start on Anjouan.
Do I need a local company and director in Curaçao?
Yes. The LOK regime requires a Curaçao-registered company, a local registered office, at least one Curaçao-resident managing director (or local corporate management), a local key person and a dedicated compliance/MLRO function.
Is the Curaçao licence accepted by payment processors?
Yes — it is the most widely accepted offshore gaming licence among PSPs, e-wallets and acquiring banks, which is precisely why operators tolerate its higher cost and substance requirements.
Reviewed by the Vantegris licensing team · Last updated July 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction and change over time.
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